MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center will launch its new project “Restore” on Saturday, July 14, with “Drawing and Sculpting from Life” from 1 to 5 p.m.

The class will provide facilitated studio time with artist Lisa Kaplan and include materials and supplies for sculpting the human figure in clay from a live model.

Adults of all ages and young people age 12 and up of all levels of experience from practicing artists to newbies are welcome to draw or sculpt during the session.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own drawing and painting materials, clay tools, and easels if preferred.

Clay, materials for armatures, charcoal and newsprint will be available. The cost is $10. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

“Working while observing the figure is a fascinating process. Our anatomy is complex, beautiful, miraculous and sculptural. And, we are all basically supported by the same internal structures. When you surrender to a journey of discovery, you can let go of expectations that your work will be a perfect representation of the figure, and enjoy giving form to what you see. And clay is a great medium for this kind of exploration as it is so malleable and easy to rework,” said artist Lisa Kaplan, who is facilitating this session.

“We’ll open with quick poses that increase in duration during the first half, take a break and then dig into a long pose for the second half. You are welcome to draw or sculpt and can attend just part of the day if you wish. I will be available to support your work in either media. Working from life can be intense, but it is also very rewarding in terms of what we can learn about the human body, and our own as well as others’ humanity,” Kaplan said.

Adults and teens of all abilities and backgrounds are invited to participate in Restore and develop their personal creative and artistic voices while learning to work in a variety of media.

Restore workshops provide opportunities for both personal and collaborative projects and include classes in sculpture, mixed media, creative writing and printmaking. Participants will learn new skills or refine skills in a variety of materials and techniques including clay, woodworking, metalworking, concrete, fiber, assemblage, drypoint and block printing among others.

The project will culminate with the reopening of the EcoArts Sculpture Walk at Trailside Park, and a new Rabbit Hill Art Trail. Whether you wish to work on a long-term personal project, or on a team project, Restore provides opportunities to participate in revitalizing outdoor community spaces that were destroyed by the Valley fire.

On Saturday, July 28, also from 1 to 5 p.m., Clive Matson will return to MAC to lead the Writers Workshop. August will feature Extreme Papier Mâché with Christalene Loren and Block Printing with John Jennings. In September, MAC will begin to offer Restore workshops most weekends of the month. Classes include basic materials and are offered at $5 to 10.

Restore, like Resilience, was made possible with support from the California Arts Council, a State agency, and local organizations and contributors. Visit www.ca.arts.gov to learn more about the California Arts Council’s important work in communities and schools throughout California.

The public is also invited to enjoy any of several Resilience project exhibits, each unique, currently on view in multiple locations: in Lakeport at City Hall, in Clearlake at City Hall, at Middletown Art Center (closing July 22) and at the Adventist Hospital Mountain View Café in Clearlake. Find out more about exhibit locations and hours at www.middletownartcenter.org.

MAC’s Nature and Numbers summer camp will be offered July 30 to Aug 3, and is open to children grades first through ninth. Visit the MAC website to learn more about this adventure in the arts paired with math and number sense skills and concepts.

Be a part of the growing arts scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by participating in Restore, or by coming to any of the many arts and cultural events or classes at MAC. Visit www.middletownartcenter.org or like Middletown Art Center on Facebook to stay up to date with what’s happening at MAC.